Booker's campaign path bumpier than anticipated

In this Oct. 9, 2013, photo. Senate candidate Democrat Cory Booker answers a question after debating Republican Steve Lonegan at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. Booker's path to the Oct. 16 Senate election has been bumpier than anticipated. Even Republicans had expected Booker to cruise to victory by a wide margin over Lonegan in the special election to replace former Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died in June. While Booker holds a double-digit lead in most polls, the Newark mayor has faced sus
— AP

In this Oct. 9, 2013, photo. Senate candidate Democrat Cory Booker answers a question after debating Republican Steve Lonegan at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. Booker's path to the Oct. 16 Senate election has been bumpier than anticipated. Even Republicans had expected Booker to cruise to victory by a wide margin over Lonegan in the special election to replace former Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died in June. While Booker holds a double-digit lead in most polls, the Newark mayor has faced sus
/ AP

NEWARK, N.J. 
Cory Booker's path to Wednesday's U.S. Senate election in New Jersey has been a little bumpier than anticipated.

Even Republicans had expected Booker to cruise to victory by a wide margin over little-known Republican Steve Lonegan. After all, Booker is a Democrat with a growing national profile in a Democratic-leaning state.

But the charismatic Newark mayor has faced sustained Republican criticism in a race that has exposed vulnerabilities that could hamper him should he seek even higher office someday.

Booker and Lonegan are running a special election to replace former Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died in June.